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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
A respectable first novel. Eugenides' uncensored, if perhaps exaggerated, representation of the male adolescent mind is a perfect framework for detailing the main subject matter -- the *female* adolescent. As the narrative voice and the ssubject matter could be considered inherently dichotomous, the pairing is a notable success.
Keen observation and precise detail engage the reader without feeling tedious; an inherently grisly plot is cleverly diluted by a pristine, subdued descriptive style. What could easily be a ghastly and off-putting subject is instead presented with judiciousness, allowing it to be inoffensive while still remaining true to the story and its true nature.
With the rising popularity of "shock value," I think subtlety is greatly under-appreciated in modern literature. As such, this would be an excellent work to use in teaching student writers how to address difficult, disturbing subject matter in a manner that itself is not difficult or disturbing -- a skill too infrequently seen on the best-sellers' lists these days.
Keen observation and precise detail engage the reader without feeling tedious; an inherently grisly plot is cleverly diluted by a pristine, subdued descriptive style. What could easily be a ghastly and off-putting subject is instead presented with judiciousness, allowing it to be inoffensive while still remaining true to the story and its true nature.
With the rising popularity of "shock value," I think subtlety is greatly under-appreciated in modern literature. As such, this would be an excellent work to use in teaching student writers how to address difficult, disturbing subject matter in a manner that itself is not difficult or disturbing -- a skill too infrequently seen on the best-sellers' lists these days.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
i remember grabbing this book from a second hand store and starting it that same night, dispensing all my other reads at that moment. something in me just knew I had to read it. right there, right then.
it grabbed me the moment I started and didn't let down, didn't falter or bore me in any part of the process. a captivating read if there ever is any. although you know how the story ends, this books power is in its dissecting discourse, rich fragrant passages that really set out the scene, laying bare layers upon layers of thought. there's both room for regret and to reminisce on the events that took place and although told through a semi collective-esque perspective, it still felt very up close and personal, giving more emotional depth to the story.
I'm intrigued to read more from this author, and I'm exited to watch the film-- Sofia coppolas directorial debut nonetheless.
it grabbed me the moment I started and didn't let down, didn't falter or bore me in any part of the process. a captivating read if there ever is any. although you know how the story ends, this books power is in its dissecting discourse, rich fragrant passages that really set out the scene, laying bare layers upon layers of thought. there's both room for regret and to reminisce on the events that took place and although told through a semi collective-esque perspective, it still felt very up close and personal, giving more emotional depth to the story.
I'm intrigued to read more from this author, and I'm exited to watch the film-- Sofia coppolas directorial debut nonetheless.
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The prose: gorgeous, luminous. The premise (suicides of five daughters, narrated by a plural-first-person group of neighborhood boys trying to make sense of things) is obviously dark, heavy, fraught, sticky. There's plenty here at whatever depth you want to read it, as long as you don't take the conceit of males-narrating-female-suffering too superficially (too literally?).
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Well written. Very much written through the male gaze. But still a great story.
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes